Seldom-used Lucas’ monster game leads Wednesday’s S&Ds

Somebody forgot to tell backup point guard John Lucas III about those plans.

Lucas made the best of his first career start, erupting for career-high totals of 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the Bulls to a 78-64 victory over Washington.

Rose was missing from the lineup with a sprained big toe. His absence forced Chicago coach Tom Thibodeau to make other plans to attack the Wizards with Lucas as his primary weapon.

“Coach Thibodeau was telling me to stay aggressive, don’t back off and don’t stop shooting,” Lucas told the Associated Press after the Bulls’ third victory in three nights.

“He kept telling me if, ‘I’m open, shoot it. If I’m open, shoot it.’ I felt like I was shooting too much and then he got on me for not shooting the times I was open.”

Lucas fired 28 times in the game. He had attempted 39 shots in his previous seven games this season and his previous single game high was 13 — both with Houston in the 2006-07 season.

“He’s a scorer. He’s a player,” backup Chicago point guard Mike James told ESPN Chicago. “And all he needed was the opportunity. And tonight he got the opportunity and he ran with it.

“He prepares himself every summer. His dad is one of the best trainers in probably the country, probably the world. He makes great players all the time … he has his father’s DNA. His father was a great player when he played. All he needed was an opportunity and tonight he got that opportunity, he took full advantage of it.”

Others had big nights and struggled across the NBA last night as well. Some of the more notable performances included:

STUDS

Chicago G John Lucas: Took advantage of Derrick Rose’s injury to produce 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and was plus-14 in the Bulls’ victory over Washington.

Los Angeles Lakers G Kobe Bryant: Went for 40 points — his second straight night of at least 40 points — in the Lakers overtime triumph at Utah. Bryant also added eight rebounds, four assists and was plus-10 for the game.

Los Angeles Clippers G Chris Paul: Notched 27 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and three steals and was a team-best plus-13 in the Clippers’ overtime triumph over Miami.

Oklahoma City F Kevin Durant: Produced 29 points, 10 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals and was plus-5 in the Thunder’s triumph at New Orleans.

San Antonio G Tony Parker: Tallied 28 points, eight assists and five rebounds and was tied for the team lead at plus-13 in the Spurs’ overtime victory over Houston.

Sacramento C DeMarcus Cousins: Muscled for 21 points and 19 rebounds and was a game-best plus-11 in the Kings’ victory at Toronto.

Miami F LeBron James: Filled the stat sheet for 23 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in the Heat’s loss to the Clippers.

DUDS

Washington F Nick Young: Went 2 for 11 from the field with three turnovers and was minus-1 in the Wizards’ loss at Chicago.

Dallas G Vince Carter: Clanked through a 1-for-8 shooting night with two turnovers in the Mavericks’ victory at Boston.

Atlanta F Vladimir Radmanovic: Went 1 for 7 from the field, was limited to three points and was minus-5 in the Hawks’ loss at Indiana.

Chicago F Luol Deng: Struggled through a 5-for-21 shooting night with four turnovers in the Bulls’ victory over Washington.

Toronto C Andrea Bargnani: Endured a 2-for-13 shooting effort with two turnovers and was minus-2 in the Raptors’ loss to Sacramento.

Los Angeles Lakers F Pau Gasol: Struggled through a 5-for-14 shooting night with five turnovers in the Lakers’ victory at Utah.

Atlanta G Jeff Teague: Went 2 for 10 with three turnovers and was minus-13 in the Hawks’ loss at Indiana.